No finer game has been seen on the Dartmouth ground this season than that with Totnes on Saturday. The home side was as published with one exception, Willcocks taking the place of W. Tucker at three quarter. The Totnes team was Pinsent, back; Searle, Gibson, Kinsman, Stoyle, three quarters; Elias and Marley, halves; O. Windeatt (capt)., Knott, Hingston, Batchers, Hawkins (2), and Hoopell (2). Mr. Webber, Paignton, held the whistle, and the game started at four o’clock in brilliantly fine weather, but before a small gate. Totnes played downhill in the opening half and Windeatt kicked off. For some time, the visitors had the best of it, and Gibson was nearly over after a good sprint. Relief came with a dribble from the Dartmouth pack, who got to half-way, but Elias picked up and punted back to the twenty-five. Here Back took the ball from a kick and made a magnificent run, dodging or handling off man after man. He finished off by planting the ball under the bar. The whistle had gone, however, for an infringement which was not seen by the spectators. Later I learnt that the referee considered he had knocked on. I for one did not see it. Apparently, he took the leather very surely. The referee’s word is law, and back the ball had to come. Totnes kept up pressure for a little longer and then, getting out of a hole by good passing, in which some of the forwards took part, Dartmouth reached the Totnes quarter. Langmead, Ellis, and Wood had a hand in more passing which enabled the latter to get close home. A moment later Back was all but in, and the ball being kicked over, Willcocks made a good dash for it. The Totnes back was there first and kicked dead. From a free to Totnes (Langmead getting offside) Kinsman kicked a minor from half-way and in this respect the teams stood level. Dartmouth now had the best of the argument and began to press severely. Every effort was made to pierce the defence, but it was not until Neill passed sharply to Langmead from scrum, and the latter dodged two men and went over the rut that the Totnes colours were lowered. Wood kicked a fine goal from an awkward angle. Dartmouth were going strong and there were several good rounds of passing which ought to have ended differently. Twice Tucker passed to Sales when the winger was absolutely marked to a standstill by his opponent. Had he transferred back into the field of play there were men ready to carry on. Willcocks had a good chance given to him, but missed the pass, and a fine attack thus failed. It was almost half-time when Totnes kicked to the home line and Mashford making a mull, Knott scored for the visitors right at the corner. Kinsman failed at goal and the interval arrived with the score: Dartmouth 1 goal, Totnes 1 try. … (continues in like manner with a description of the second half) … … (Dartmouth won by two points) …
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0750 Devonport: Robert Maye Pinsent: 1881 – 1944